American Swedish Historical Museum | Connecting Cultures and Community

"Art by SIGELLE" was an exhibition of multimedia artworks by Sigelle Oldenburg (1900-1984). Born in Stockholm as Sigrid Elisabeth Lindforss, Sigelle was a trained opera singer, music teacher, mother, and artist who regularly created vibrant works of color and collage.

Snapshot: Peek into the Past

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In honor the 75th anniversary of the ASHM’s 1938 dedication, visitors found throughout the galleries a selection of images from the building’s archives and historic photograph collection.

The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank

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Austrian-born designer and architect Josef Frank (1885–1967) was a leading pioneer of Swedish Modern design, and many of Frank’s timeless textile designs and furnishings remain in production today.

Do You Know Pippi Longstocking?

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When a red-haired, horse-lifting, freckle-faced, nine-year-old girl leapt from the pages of Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump) in 1945, she quickly made her way into the hearts of children and adults throughout Sweden. Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), Pippi’s creator, once said that she wrote for her own inner child, which perhaps speaks to Pippi’s success.

Indian Nation: Indian Motorcycles and America

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Did you know that a Swedish-American engineered the first American motorcycle? It happened in 1901 when Carl Oscar Hedstrom (1871-1960), a Swedish immigrant and machinist, and George Hendee (1866-1943), an American bicycle racer and builder, founded the “Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company”.

Workers of the World, Awaken! The Life and Legacy of Joe Hill

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Celebrate the spirit of Labor Day by learning more about Joe Hill (born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund), the Swedish-American labor activist, songwriter, cartoonist, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World.

A Community on the Prairie: Bishop Hill, Illinois

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The Bishop Hill Colony was a religious community founded in Illinois in 1846 by Eric Janson and his followers. The small Swedish colony survived for only 15 years, but it left a lasting mark on immigration history.

Flowers and Monsters: Hand-Carved Furniture by Karl von Rydingsvärd

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Karl von Rydingsvärd was a Swedish immigrant whose passion for woodcarving made him influential within the Arts and Crafts movement of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. His story is one of Swedish nobility and American success.

Skål: Scandinavian Spirits

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All over Scandinavia, December and January are filled with celebrations of good food, good drink, and good company. January – September 2017 learn about traditional holiday drinks such as Christmas beers, aquavit, and glögg. Offer a hearty “Skål!”

Viking Sword

While we often consider the Vikings as raiders, they were also crafty merchants and brilliant navigators. Spears and shields were more common weapons for Vikings while only the wealthiest warriors carried swords.

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